KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL graduate honored by UN for work with LaunchDETROIT

(Edited from a story by Dave Herndon, The News-Herald Newspapers)

Larry Wright, Kennedy High School Class of 1966, was recently honored by the United Nations.

LaunchDETROIT was kickstarted in 2013 by the members of Rotary District 6400, which at the time was lead by Wright. Wright was the district governor at the time, and remains an active member of the Taylor Rotary Club.

LaunchDETROIT is a multi-faceted micro loan program designed to support and develop entrepreneurs and small businesses in under-resourced communities in the metro Detroit region.

On November 12, Wright was one of six Rotarians from around the world, and the only recipient from North America, to receive Rotary’s Responsible Business recognition during Rotary Day at the United Nations.

“Larry’s leadership as founding chair of LaunchDETROIT has helped to generate international interest in a program that is serving as a model for other cities in the U.S., including Atlanta, Ga., Raleigh, N.C.; and Rotary Club of Southeast Chicago; and around the world,” said Sue Goldsen, 2016-17 governor of Rotary District 6400, which includes 48 clubs in southeast Michigan and southwest Ontario.

“This award also brings a great deal of positive attention to what’s happening in Detroit and how Rotary volunteers are working to make an impact locally.”

The LaunchDETROIT program does more than give out small loans, it also includes 10 weeks of free business training through Baker College of Allen Park, assigns business mentors and networking opportunities. The loans are worth up to $2,500.

“I can’t begin to tell you what an honor it is to be recognized with this award, but it truly belongs to a group of dedicated Rotarians, many of whom are entrepreneurs and business owners themselves,” Wright said.

In addition to Baker College of Allen Park, other partners of LaunchDETROIT include Level One Bank, Presbytery of Detroit, Michigan Women’s Foundation, and clubs within Rotary District 6400.

For more information about LaunchDETROIT, visit www.LaunchDetroit.org.